I didn’t have any special meaning when I answered that way about my relationship with Blanshe. I was just annoyed. He was a punk who kept clinging to women. If he knew Blanshe didn’t have a boyfriend, he would’ve been persistent again. I could’ve just said she was my friend, but that wasn’t enough. I needed a more definitive way. I didn’t want to leave any room for nonsense, so I blurted out that she was my concubine. The effect was immediate. The punk couldn’t even argue back and just backed off. They probably thought I was insane for saying I had a concubine in front of my fiancée. Maybe they thought it was some complicated love triangle. After all, there were quite a few countries that practiced polygamy, so it wasn’t entirely absurd. However, the aftermath of that statement wasn’t light. “……” “The food’s getting cold.” Across from me, Bella was glaring at me without a word. Blanshe, sitting next to me, was just watching Bella’s reaction. Right after leaving the café, we went to a quiet Korean restaurant. The dining area was private, so it was more free compared to other restaurants in terms of conversation and gaze. Maybe that’s why. The silence in the room felt unusually heavy. I tried to avoid Bella’s gaze and asked Blanshe, “Blanshe, do you know how to use chopsticks?” “Huh?! Uh, chopsticks…?” “The sticks in front of you. It seems you don’t know how to use them.” “Oh, so these are chopsticks. I’m sorry… I don’t really know how…” “No need to apologize.” I pressed the bell on the table and requested a fork. Soon, there was a knock, and a staff member entered. “I’ll bring you a fork, sir.” “Thank you.” “Wow, you can speak Korean?” “Yes, somewhat…” “You speak so well, I’m surprised. Are you all tourists?” “You could say that.” “Where have you visited? Any travel plans?” The female staff member, who seemed like a part-timer, started chatting with sparkling eyes. She seemed friendly and talkative. As I was answering appropriately, she suddenly pointed at my face and said, “Oh, sir, you have something on your face.” “Huh?” “Handsome.” “……” I had to use ‘Patience’ to stop my face from twitching. Who would’ve thought I’d hear such a cringy joke in my life? Of course, I knew it was meant as a compliment, but it still made me cringe. Even though I was modeled after my real self, I still wasn’t used to Tristan’s appearance. Maybe it was because I lost weight, but the reactions from the opposite sex had become overwhelmingly positive. It was burdensome. After the staff left, Bella, who had been silent, finally spoke. “You seem to enjoy the attention from women, Tristan.” “…Do I look like I’m enjoying it?” “If it were usual, you’d be scowling and throwing sarcastic remarks.” “I can’t do that to someone I just met.” Just as I was about to pick up some japchae with chopsticks, “Is the food going down now?” “I haven’t even put it in my mouth yet. It’s not going anywhere.” “But you were about to eat it.” “Is it strange to eat at a restaurant?” “Not strange, but no. Not until you answer my question.” “What question?” “Do you really plan to make Blanshe your concubine?” “Cough?!” Blanshe, who was sipping water, choked. “Ah, miss…! That’s not…!” “Blanshe, stay quiet. I just want to clarify. Were you serious about what you said earlier?” Both Bella and Blanshe knew it was a lie to chase those guys away. But why was she suddenly insisting on clarifying? “Did I overstep by saying that?” “No. Blanshe has feelings for you.” “Miss?!” This time, I almost spat out my water. Who has feelings for whom…? No, could it really be? I tried to act nonchalant and asked, “Feelings…? Like the feelings you have for me?” “…Do you have to be so direct? Hmph… Yes. The feelings I have and Blanshe’s feelings aren’t much different.” “Ah, miss! That’s not…!” “What’s not? It’s true.” Blanshe was clearly flustered, her cheeks turning red. It was undeniable. “It’s not… It’s not… Ugh…” At this point, Blanshe seemed to realize that hiding her feelings was futile and covered her face, bowing her head. “I’m sorry…” “Enough. Don’t apologize for that. So, Tristan, what do you think? About Blanshe being your concubine.” I fell into thought for a moment. Since when? Why? Many questions flashed through my mind. No, there were already signs. In the north, and when she suddenly declared she’d be my concubine, there were hints of her affection for me. But I couldn’t understand why she had come to like me. The fact that she, who had been abandoned and hated me so much, now had feelings for me was hard to comprehend. I looked at Blanshe. Former assassin of the Ruelberta Family and one of my death flags. She was one of the strongest in this world, capable of taking on Helga one-on-one. Naturally, she was a force to be reckoned with among the players. As a woman, Blanshe was… Despite being a woman, she was almost as tall as me, with a well-trained body. Her looks were also outstanding, making her desirable to men. She was a woman with no shortage of charm. That such a woman had feelings for me was truly an honor. I wasn’t someone who deserved such affection. After some thought, I spoke. “…As you know, calling Blanshe my concubine was something I had to do in that situation. If I hadn’t said that, those guys would’ve been persistent.” “So? You didn’t actually plan to make her your concubine and just said it?” “That’s right.” “You’re trash…” “I’m not done yet.” I cleared my throat and spoke to Bella and Blanshe. “When those guys were bothering you today, I felt really uncomfortable. I don’t know why, but a part of me might have said that because I didn’t want to lose you. There might be differences in degree, but both of you are precious to me.” Blanshe looked up at me. If there hadn’t been even a hint of favorable feelings for Blanshe in my heart, I wouldn’t have felt that way. I also wouldn’t have called her my concubine. Perhaps the emotion I felt then was a possessive desire stemming from ‘Greed.’ The desire not to let someone as beautiful and capable as Blanshe be taken by someone else. But… ‘Greed’ is also an emotion I can’t deny. So I had to say this. “Especially you, Blanshe. We’ve worked together for quite some time. It’s hard to find a woman like you… If you really want to be my concubine, I won’t refuse.” “So if I confess, you won’t reject me…? You know that’s a bit rude, right?” “It’s a bit late to be saying that now.” “Hmph… So you’re interested in Blanshe as a woman?” “That’s how the conversation is going.” “Anyway, you don’t dislike it. That’s what matters. Sigh…” Bella let out a small sigh. I could understand her feelings. As my fiancée, Bella would find it hard to accept another woman after Helga. But of all people, it had to be Blanshe, her long-time bodyguard and friend. Knowing Bella’s personality, she would want to respect Blanshe’s feelings. And she would want to support her friend’s affection. But she probably never dreamed that her friend would fall for the same man. I wasn’t the only one who understood Bella’s feelings. “I’m sorry, miss. For someone like me… the position of the Count’s concubine is too much.” “Ah, Blanshe. Please don’t belittle yourself. What do you lack? If anything, Tristan should be grateful.” “Me?” “Yes? Try saying no. I’ll kick you.” “…You’re already kicking me enough.” Bella was kicking my shin under the table. It didn’t hurt, but it felt unfair. “I kicked you in advance. It was obvious you’d say no.” “…Don’t you think you’re being too harsh on me?” “Not at all.” Bella giggled and pinched my shin with her toes. Really, this princess has the worst habits. Anyway, the atmosphere had lightened a bit. But Blanshe still couldn’t look up at Bella, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry…” “Ah, really! How many times do I have to tell you not to apologize?” “But I’m sorry… And I’m sorry to you too, Count.” “…To me?” “Even though you spoke kindly, I know how lacking I am as a woman.” “What! Don’t say that. Blanshe. What do you lack…!” “I’m far inferior to the miss. I’m not feminine, I lack charm… I’m not pretty.” Huh? What’s this? Bella and I made eye contact, probably thinking the same thing. “How dare an ugly woman like me have feelings for you, Count… I’m so sorry…” “Blanshe? Who said you’re ugly? Who said that?” “Huh? Well, me…” “No! I’ve told you before. You’re quite pretty, right?” “Wasn’t that… because the miss is close to me that you said that?” “Absolutely not! Someone as pretty as you is really rare!” Come to think of it, Blanshe had a long history as an assassin. Her life wasn’t ordinary, so naturally, her thoughts were different from ordinary women. Until recently, she rarely wore makeup and insisted on practical clothes like pants. But Bella couldn’t stand it anymore, so lately, she’s been wearing makeup and has improved a lot. But to think she considered herself ugly… It was a bit shocking. “Blanshe, didn’t you notice the stares on the street? Everyone wanted to talk to you. That’s because you’re pretty.” “That’s because they were looking at the miss’s beauty.” “They were looking at both of us.” “The miss is too kind… Only you would call a woman like me beautiful.” “No…! That… Sigh… Tristan, say something.” “What do you want me to say?” “Just compliment Blanshe’s looks.” That’s something I’m not good at. But since Bella wouldn’t let it go, I clicked my tongue. “Blanshe.” “Yes…” “You’re beautiful enough as you are. So stop with the self-deprecating comments.” “The Count is as kind as the miss. But someone like me is far from beautiful.” It didn’t work. She just lacked confidence. She was good at killing and assassination, but not confident in her looks. And always being around Bella probably didn’t help. Bella’s beauty was so overwhelming that any woman next to her would pale in comparison. Naturally, people’s gazes would be drawn more to Bella. Moreover, things like grooming or romance were far from Blanshe’s life, so she might feel that way even more. It’s hard to objectively evaluate one’s own appearance. “…It’s hard to say anything.” “Count, between me and Helga, who’s prettier?” A sudden question. Blanshe was genuinely asking, but Bella looked at me with interest. “…Both of you are equally beautiful.” “I see… I’m on the same level as Helga…” “Pfft! Tristan, apologize. How dare you compare Helga to our Blanshe?” Bella giggled, finding it amusing. Somehow, it’s annoying. “…I’ve rarely seen a woman as beautiful as Helga. Blanshe, you’re the same.” “Then how about comparing me and the miss?” “Hmm.” It’s a really difficult question to answer. If we’re talking purely about looks, Bella would naturally come out on top. In both worlds, I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than her. Of course, that doesn’t mean Blanshe isn’t beautiful. It’s just that Bella’s beauty is too overwhelming. “Why are you hesitating? Tristan, answer quickly. Come on.” Bella giggled and started stroking my shin with her foot. The ticklish movement made me twitch, but seeing her teasing expression made me want to tease her back. “…It’s a ridiculous question. I think all three of you are equally beautiful, without putting anyone above the others.” “Tristan?!” “Count?! I’m definitely not like that! Of course, the miss is a hundred times more beautiful than me. Right, miss?” “Huh? Well…” As if seeking revenge, Bella, who had been pinching my shin with her toes, paused. She looked awkward. It was hard to agree without belittling Blanshe’s looks, but also hard to disagree. “Ahem… Thank you, but Blanshe is as beautiful as I am. So have some confidence.” “Right. Comparing looks is meaningless. What I want to say is that all three of you have your own charms.” “Is… that so?” Blanshe nodded, still not fully convinced. It seemed like it would take time for her to accept that she was beautiful. “Anyway, Tristan, you’re the worst. If you had just drawn a clear line…” “…I didn’t want to lie. At least with my feelings, I wanted to be honest with you.” “…Hmph. Do you think that’ll make me forgive you?” “I’m not asking for forgiveness.” “Oh, really? I’ll never forgive you. There.” Still dissatisfied, Bella kept kicking me with her foot. But it wasn’t as harsh as before. “Blanshe, I have no right to stop you from liking anyone. What right do I have to control someone’s heart? So whether you become Tristan’s concubine or wife, I won’t stop you.” “Miss…” “But remember. This man has a terrible personality, he’s strict, his tone is arrogant, and he’s full of bluster. He can be scary when angry, but he rarely gets angry at women.” “…The last part is hard to ignore.” “Be quiet, pervert.” Really? I thought about it. But I wasn’t sure. Most of the targets of my ‘Wrath’ were men, but that was because there were far more men who were hostile to me. It’s not that I favor women. “Honestly, liking a man like this is completely foolish.” “That means you too…” I was about to say that she was foolish too, but Bella pinched my shin with her toes, so I shut my mouth. “Ahem! So what I’m saying is that it’s just one more fool. Blanshe.” “Miss…” “But if you ‘also’ insist on being a fool… I won’t stop you.” Bella, who had essentially accepted Blanshe, picked up her fork with a pout.